By Peggy Brekveld, Board Member, Northern Ontario, Ontario Federation of AgricultureAgriculture drives Ontario’s economy. In terms of actual dollars generated from Ontario farms, primary agriculture contributes $13.7 billion to our province’s GDP and generates 158,000 jobs. Agriculture is on top and we’ve got plenty of potential to grow. Just look to northern Ontario for a great example of the tremendous growth potential for agriculture. North of Parry Sound lies almost 90% of Ontario’s total land mass, and 7% of our province’s total farmland.As a farmer in northern Ontario, I’m seeing steady farmland expansion across the region. And with 3 million acres of prospective farmland in northern Ontario, we’ve got a lot of potential to generate more food, fibre and profits. Expanding agriculture in the north means greater economic growth for all of Ontario.There’s plenty of room and opportunity for new and expanding farmers in northern Ontario. Lower land prices balance the higher costs of transportation – whether you are bringing in farm inputs or shipping out commodities.Growing conditions in northern regions are clearly different. Cooler temperatures create a shorter growing season, but our northern crops benefit from longer daylight hours during the growing season. Northern Ontario is also home to unique micro climates that offer advantages for field crops. Advanced agricultural research has resulted in some great crop varieties and production methods that enable us to produce valuable field crops comparable to our southern neighbours. As well, a significant amount of northern land is pasture, an efficient way to use rough terrain acres that are otherwise unfit for cultivating and growing crops. As we prepare to answer to the Premier’s challenge to double growth and jobs in Ontario’s agri-food sector, northern Ontario is part of the answer. In 2012 northern Ontario generated more than $170 million in farm cash receipts. Continued northern research and farmland expansion will further raise the economic contribution of the region. Here in the north we’ve got untapped acres available for agricultural development and pasture land to accommodate livestock expansion. We’ve got agricultural organizations like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and our affiliated regional federations to support our farmers and advocate for issues on their behalf.Northern Ontario is home to great potential for agriculture that offers the promise of more food, more jobs and a greater economic impact for the whole province.-30-For more information contact:Peggy BrekveldBoard MemberOntario Federation of Agriculture807-935-2154Neil CurrieGeneral ManagerOntario Federation of Agriculture519-821-8883